Alamo Heights Weekly Community Calendar — July 9-15

Retail/dining

Published 4:53 pm, Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Send your Alamo Heights Weekly public event notices (including recreational sports) for free to Edmond Ortiz at eortiz@express-news.net; by fax at 250-3350; or by mail to him in c/o Alamo Heights Weekly/S.A. Express-News, P.O. Box 2171, San Antonio, TX 78297-2171. Submissions must be received by noon Thursday prior to the next desired Wednesday publication date. Items run on a space-available basis.

Source of Light (SoL) Center at University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell, is offering a variety of community courses, covering topics such as race, yogaia peace yoga, interfaith issues, social justice, writing, ecology and environmentalism. Contact: www.upcsa.org/sol_center or 732-9927.

Inspire Fine Art Center, 200 Queen Anne Court, hosts free “Passport to Inspiration”/Family Art Day 10 a.m.-1 p.m. second Saturdays. Participants pick a stamp, stamp their “passport,” create art projects and have a snack. When the child has four stamps in their passport, he/she receives a free T-shirt and when a child has seven stamps, he/she receives 50 percent off the registration fee for an art class. Two-day and weeklong art workshops for children and teenagers are planned this month and August. Contact: 829-5592 or www.inspirefineart.org.

The Circle School, 217 Pershing, offers summer culture and arts classes and camps for children ages 4-14 now through Aug. 15. Visit: www.thecircleschool.org.

San Antonio Lutheran Coronation Association, a not-for-profit organization and official Fiesta San Antonio event, is accepting nominations for duchesses for its 2015 court, which will feature America's National Parks. Duchesses must be between ages 14-21 and be active members in their communities and Christian denominations. Participants need not be Lutheran. Duchesses work with teams of volunteers to craft their "trains," and will then be presented at the Coronation, which takes place in March 2015. Submission deadline: July 15. Contact www.salutherancoronation.com or 215-2269.

Camp Broadway is a week-long program that immerses campers in an authentic Broadway rehearsal process and allows them to be successful no matter what their experience level may be. The camp, open to aspiring young performers ages 10-17, will be held Aug. 4-8 at Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary's St. Visit: www.campbroadway.com.

Alamo KidSports is a sport development company teaching soccer, baseball and basketball to children 18 months to 6 years in a non-competitive, fun environment. Alamo KidSports offers weekly 50-minute classes at Spectrum Athletic Club at Alamo Heights. Visit: www.alamototsports.com.

Land of Virtuosity youth performing arts academy, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 305 Avenue E, offers a variety of classes and special seasonal camps related to all aspects of live theater, film and dance. Contact: 844-4298 or www.landofvirtuosity.org.

Learn chanting “hu,” an ancient name for God, during a free class discussion at 6 p.m. Fridays at the Eckankar Spiritual Center of San Antonio, 1603 W. Lullwood. Regardless of your beliefs or religion, you are invited sing hu with the Texas Satsang Society. Contact: www.Eckankar-Texas.org or 737-6863.

Piranha Killer Sushi, 260 E. Basse Road, Suite 101, hosts a sake-tasting event each first and third Tuesday night. Cost: $25 (includes five different sakes paired with a small tasting as well as dessert).

Barriba Cantina, 111 Crockett St., open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily, offers Mexican street food available until closing time. There's live music 9 p.m. daily, and during the day Fridays through Sundays. Admission is free. Visit: www.barribacantina.com.

Alamo Heights Chamber of Commerce has a luncheon 11:30 a.m. first Wednesdays at Paesano's, 555 E. Basse Road. Mixers are held third Thursdays at various member locations. Visit: http://alamoheightschamber.org.

“The Book Was Better” Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. second Wednesdays at Pruitt Library at Roosevelt High School, 5110 Walzem Road. Members pick a novel that has a film adaptation to discuss at every meeting. This month, members will discuss “House of Sand and Fog” by Andre Dubus.

San Antonio Herb Society meets 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels Ave. Admission is free to the public.

San Antonio Audubon Society meets at 7 p.m. first Thursdays at The First Tee, 915 E. Mulberry Ave. Admission is free to the public. Contact: 308-6788 or www.saaudubon.org.

Northeast Bexar County Democrats meet at 10 a.m. first Saturdays (except this month) at TriPoint, 3233 N. St. Mary's St. Admission is free and open to the public. Visit: www.nebcd.org.

San Antonio Calligraphers Guild meets 7 p.m. first Thursdays at Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place (except for the summer). Visitors are welcome and may attend two meetings without paying memberships dues. Visit: www.sanantoniocalligraphy.com.

Greater San Antonio Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m. each first and third Thursdays at the Lions Field Adult Center, 2809 Broadway. The first gathering is an educational meeting, the third Thursday is a competition with members presenting alternating digital and print photographs for peer judging and commentary. Admission is free and all skill levels of photographers are welcome. Visit: www.gsacc.org or Facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Greater-San-Antonio-Camera-Club/121865424504012.

Alamo Sierra Club meets at 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. Admission is free and open to the public. Socializing and snacks begin at 6 p.m. Contact: 828-1233 or gaywright46@yahoo.com.

San Antonio Chapter, Sons of The American Revolution, holds its monthly meeting and luncheon at 11:30 a.m. third Wednesdays at The Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels Ave. Cost: $23. There will be a guest speaker. Guests and prospective members are welcome. RSVP by the preceding Monday to treasurer Bob Clark, reservations@sarsat.org or 402-0871.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Chapter 1320, has a meeting/luncheon at noon first Tuesdays at Oak Hills Presbyterian Church, 6739 Callaghan Road. This includes a social hour and a guest speaker. Contact: David Morin, 822-9636 or dmorinenter@sbcglobal.net.

Alamo Chapter of MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) has a Solitaires' Sunday brunch once a month at the Randolph Officers' Club. This monthly gathering of single officers (active and retired) or widow(er)s of officers is an opportunity to socialize and just have fun. No registration is necessary; pay as you go. Must be a member of the Alamo-MOAA chapter or be willing to join at the meeting. Visit: www.alamomoaa.org.

Newcomers of San Antonio is a non-for-profit social organization founded in 1981. Membership is open to anyone residing in the greater San Antonio area for two years or less. The group sponsors social events (monthly luncheons each first Thursday, and monthly morning coffees each third Thursday), interest groups (games, book club, evening groups and local day trips), and opportunities for community involvement. Visit: NewcomersofSanAntonio.org.

Toastmasters Clubs (learn how to get ahead by improving your communication and leadership skills): Alamo Heights, 7 p.m. Wednesdays at University of the Incarnate Word - administrative building Room 265 (www.alamo.freetoasthost.org).

City of San Antonio regional polls, such as 221 Alexander Ave. are now open to the public for open swimming 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and 1-7 p.m. Saturdays, and for lap swimming 7:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. This and three other city regional pools will be open 1-7 p.m. Saturday-Monday. The city's regular outdoor pool season that includes all 24 outdoor pools through Aug. 17. Call: 207-3299.

The 35th annual SARR Women's 5K Run/Walk starts at 7:30 a.m. July 19 at H-E-B, 999 E. Basse. Awards will be presented in the event, whose course goes through Alamo Heights. An application form is available at www.saroadrunners.com and www.active.com, and in stores such as Fleet Free, Run Wild Sports, iRun, Soler's Sports and We Run San Antonio. Email: SARRwomenrun@gmail.com.

Olmos Park residents are free to take part in Cycle at the Circle 9-11 a.m. first Saturdays around Alameda Circle. Nearby streets are closed to through traffic during those two hours while bicyclists enjoy the scenery and other activities.

San Antonio Gaelic Athletic Club's football practices are open to men and women ages 18 and up, from all backgrounds, at 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at the Olmos Basin Park rugby pitch. SAGAC last year competed in national competition, where it won the Junior D Gaelic Football Shield. Visit: www.sanantoniogac.org or see the club at Facebook.

Geeks Who Drink presents trivia games at 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Lion and Rose Pub, 5148 Broadway. Prizes and free pints are up for grabs. Visit: www.geekswhodrink.com.

Retail/dining

Pearl Brewery, 200 E. Grayson St., holds First Thursdays 5-8 p.m., featuring special deals from Pearl shops along with pop-up sidewalk sales, music and refreshments. Admission is free and open to the public.

Ronald McDonald House will hold its fourth annual “chair-ity” event 7-10 p.m. July 17 at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse, 10223 Sahara, featuring silent and live auctions of unique chairs designed and decorated by local artists, as well as celebrities and supporters. Ronald McDonald House is a short-term residential facility where families reside while their children undergo extensive and time consuming treatment for cancer, leukemia, injuries and other serious illnesses. Tickets: $100; tables available. Contact: http://ronaldmcdonaldhouse-sa.org; or Leslie Foley, 614-2554 or leslie.rmhc@yahoo.com.

The annual SA Reads summer book drive is in full swing. Now through Aug. 22, drop off new or gently used books for children and young adults at any bin stationed in any San Antonio Public Library branch, Firstmark Credit Union location and/or The Twig Book Shop, 306 Pearl Parkway, during normal business hours. SAReads plans to distribute hundreds of thousands of books to schools and non-profit organizations throughout the San Antonio area. Visit: www.sareads.org.

Boiler House Texas Grill and Wine Garden, Pearl Brewery, donates 20 percent of net proceeds from dinners each third Monday night to the San Antonio River Foundation. Visit: www.boilerhousesa.com.

Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA), 406 San Pedro Ave., is a nonprofit that recruits and trains volunteers who are appointed by courts to advocate for the “best interest” of abused and neglected children. Volunteers visit with the children and gather information to help a court make informed decisions and ensure that children are placed in safe, permanent homes. CASA offers free volunteer training throughout the year; daytime, evening and weekend training available. Contact: Belinda Cox, bcox@casa-satx.org or 225-7070; or www.casa-satx.org.

Animal welfare

San Antonio Pets Alive! seeks volunteers to work with shelter dogs and cats, as well as qualified individuals willing to foster animals awaiting permanent homes. SAPA also seeks donated items to help support animals in its care. SAPA works with San Antonio Animal Care Services. SAPA offers 50 percent off adoption fees of participating fosters noon-4 p.m. second Saturdays at Paul Jolly Center for Adoptions, 210 Tuleta. Visit: www.sanantoniopetsalive.org.

San Antonio Animal Care Services, 4710 Texas 151, is accepting donations of dog and cat food 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays, for its pet pantry program. Pet owners in need can obtain pet food with proof of government assistance, a current driver's license or picture ID and proof of their pet's sterilization status and current rabies vaccination. Contact: www.saacs.net or 207-4738.

The Second (Indianhead) Division Association is searching for anyone who served in the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division at any time. A 93rd annual reunion is scheduled for Sept. 16-20 in Omaha, Nebraska. Contact: Bob Haynes, 2idahq@comcast.net or 224-225-1202.

McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., hosts these exhibits: “Matisse and Picasso: A Friendly Rivalry” through Aug. 10; “Beauty Reigns: A Baroque Sensibility in Recent Painting” through Aug. 17; “Paul Strand: The Mexican Portfolio” through Aug. 24. A concert featuring Cactus Pear Music Festival's Young Artist Program is to be held 3 p.m. Sunday. Yogiños: Yoga for Youth is offered 10-11 a.m. first Saturdays, featuring children's yoga curriculum in English, Spanish, and Sanskrit that weaves together the eight limbs of yoga with original art, music, games, stories, and other sensory-integrated activities. Free music, along with beer and food trucks, are available 6-9 p.m. second Thursdays. New parents may bring their child in a stroller for “ArtStrolls” themed tours 10:30-11:30 a.m. Fridays through this month. McNay is now one of more than 2,000 U.S. museums to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Contact: 805-1768 or www.mcnayart.org.

San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave., hosts these exhibits: “Matisse: Life in Color” through Sept. 7; “The Art Books of Henri Matisse” through Sept. 7. First Sundays for Families is noon-4 p.m. with free activities (after admission). Art pARTy offers cocktails, art and music 6-8 p.m. second Fridays. The children's movie “Hugo” is screened at sundown outdoors this Saturday. Contact: 978-8100 or www.samuseum.org.

Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Ave., hosts the exhibit “Frackaso: Portraits of Extraction in Eagle Ford and Beyond” through Aug. 31. A free, public lecture related to “Frackaso” is set for 7 p.m. this Saturday. Esperanza continues the “Rights of Mother Earth” series of special events about environmentalism with tours of part of the Eagle Ford shale project 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 24; and lectures 6 p.m. Aug. 27 and 7 p.m. Sept. 26. Contact: www.esperanzacenter.org or 228-0201.

San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, hosts special events, nature walks and children's activities. Training will be held July 22-24 for teachers, educators, and volunteers taking part in the Junior Master Gardener program ($100 fee). Contact: 829-5100 or www.sabot.org.

Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, hosts these exhibits: “Fairytale Fiesta,” the Witte's annual Fiesta gown display, through Aug. 24; “Julian Onderdonk in New York: The Lost Years, The Lost Paintings” through Sept. 9; “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body” through Nov. 3. H-E-B Body Adventure, a state-of-the-art interactive permanent showcase has opened. The Witte also has opened the east wing of the B. Naylor Morton Research and Collections Center. Open to the public, the center offers permanent storage to house historic objects. Contact: www.wittemuseum.org or 357-1910.

Summer Dance Hall series features classic Texas dance hall musicians each Wednesday night through Aug. 23 at the Pearl Stable. Each artist is curated by Doc Watkins. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free to the public. Space is limited. A cash bar features Corona and Modelo beers, wine, sodas and water. The Lone Star Swingbillies kick things off tonight with country music. Monica Rodriguez and Soundrave perform conjunto July 16.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

Lucas Miller, “the singing zoologist,” gives a program at 4 p.m. at San Pedro Library, 1315 San Pedro Ave.

Lions Field and Adult Center, 2809 Broadway, hosts an open house and art show reception 1-6 p.m.

Art on the Hill, held 6-10 p.m. every second Friday by the Tobin Hill Art Alliance, gives Tobin Hill neighborhood residents and visitors a chance to explore diverse homes, businesses and galleries between San Antonio College, Trinity University, U.S. 281 and downtown. Open studios, artist's receptions, refreshments and music will be offered at this free event. Visit: www.tobinarts.com.

Sister Margaret Carew signs copies of “Faith Opens Jail Doors,” her book about 40 years in the prison ministry, 1-3 p.m. at the Brackenridge Villa, 4503 Broadway.

As part of Free Landfill Day, San Antonio residential solid waste rate payers are free to drop off unwanted brush and bulky items between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at any of these area sites: TDS Transfer Station (bulky items only), 11601 Starcrest, or Republic Services Landfill, 7000 Interstate 10 East. Residents must provide proof of residency. San Antonians may also drop off household hazardous waste for free between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Alamo City Christian Fellowship Church, 6500 Interstate 35 North. Contact: 311 or www.sanantonio.gov/swmd.

San Antonio River Authority offers “Bat Loco,” a series of free, public educational talks 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 5 on the San Antonio River Museum Reach river level near Camden and Newell streets. A “Bat Loco Bash” is slated for Aug. 12 at the same location. The talks and special event highlight the colony of bats in the area.